In today's world, it is easy to access a large amount of information. Ask a question on the Internet and you will get at least a hundred different answers. Distinguishing whether the information provided is correct, personal opinion, or just a tool to promote a particular product is not so simple. A perfect example is pet medicine, which includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are pain relief medicines.
NSAID is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that helps reduce swelling, stiffness and joint pain in the body. Our over-the-counter products are commonly called ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin, and their familiar manufacturing names are Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Ecotrin, Ascriptin, and Bayer. Many prescription NSAIDs for humans are sold under the following names: Anaprox, Celebrex, Daypro, Feldene, Indocin, Naprosyn, Vimovo, and Voltaren. Please note that acetaminophen (also called Tylenol) is not an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). It is considered an analgesic (analgesic) and an antipyretic (antipyretic) and does not provide much anti-inflammatory activity.
NSAIDs can also reduce swelling, stiffness, and joint pain in dogs, but dogs are not humans. The NSAIDs in your medicine cabinet actually do more harm than good. There are many non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that are only suitable for dogs. Some are Carprofen (trade names: Rimadyl, Zinecarp, Canidryl, Aventicarp, Rycarfa, Rimifin, Carpox, Tergive, Carprodyl, Carprieve, Norocarp, Novox, Quellin, Rovera, Vetprofen, Levafen), Deracoxib (Deramarocovic, Deramaroc, Deoxidyl) ,), Grapiprant (Galliprant) and Meloxicam (Metacam, Loxicom, OroCAM, Rheumocam, Meloxicam).
When guardians observe their dogs for signs of pain, I believe some people have considered giving their pets an over-the-counter pain reliever of their own. Although NSAID is safe and effective for humans, it may not be safe for dogs because it may last longer in the body, has a higher absorption rate in the stomach and small intestine, and can reach high blood concentrations. These differences can lead to toxicity, leading to severe liver and kidney damage and gastrointestinal problems for your partner. Even veterinary products approved for use in one species (such as dogs) may be toxic to another species (such as cats). Therefore, it is best to consult your veterinarian before administering any medicine to your pet.
Aspirin may be an over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and your veterinarian may recommend that you give it to your dog for a limited time, but usually only when he is injured or has other short-term conditions. Long-term use is not recommended because of the greater possibility of side effects, including the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. Consult your veterinarian again and follow any recommendations regarding dosage and frequency of administration.
It is undeniable that the cost of drugs for humans and pets can be very expensive, and for people with limited budgets, it may be very tempting to buy discounted drugs without a prescription through the Internet. Although some websites are reputable pharmacies, many more companies sell counterfeit products, expired medicines, or make fraudulent claims. If the pharmacy claims that its veterinarian will evaluate the pet after reading the form filled out by the pet guardian, and then prescribe medication, this should be a red flag warning for you. One of the best ways to buy pet medicines online is to order through an internet pharmacy service recommended by your veterinarian. These licensed services work directly with the veterinarian and require him to write a prescription. They actively support the relationship between veterinarians and patients. Also, don't hesitate to ask your veterinarian if you can buy generic forms of medicines at low prices through ordinary human pharmacies.
It is also important to realize that there are many pet healthcare websites that randomly post incorrect and potentially harmful information. When researching information, I recommend sticking to the Veterinary College and Association.
For example, AVMA (American Veterinary Association) (https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare) and Washington State University School of Veterinary Medicine (http://www.vetmed.wsu .edu/ClientED/categories .aspx). In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Veterinary Center (https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary) also has a lot of useful information. If you do find an article about medications suitable for your pet, be sure to consult your veterinarian. What works for one animal may actually not help or may harm another animal. When giving any medication, the wrong dose of size or breed, other drug interactions, the pet's anatomy and physiology, and any chronic health issues all play an important role in the ultimate health of your dog.
We are used to treating ourselves with over-the-counter (OTC) medications. You might think, and then we should be able to do the same with our pets. Unfortunately, the metabolism and physiology of pets are different from ours, so at best it is difficult to infer from our own experience. Any over-the-counter medicine, even if it is considered safe for pets, may cause harm. If you will not give yourself potentially deadly or harmful drugs without consulting a doctor, then please give your beloved friends the same consideration.
Since moving in 2011, Ronnie Casey has been a volunteer at the Tehama County Animal Care Center. She is a retired registered nurse dedicated to helping animals in need in Tehama County. You can contact her at rmcredbluff@gmail.com.
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